Bottom of the Bottle:
While I appreciate a good white wine less focused on fruits, this came with a bitter bite and an after taste of dried fruits and vegetables that I could not get use to. Other reviewers have described this wine as tasting like asparagus and green figs, holding off-dry lemony flavours and balance. I'm not certain if balance works, as there is this prominent bitterness to the wine that I can't help but over-focus on. I agree with lemony but not so much the off-dry. Off-dry signifies sweetness in there and I do not come across any sweetness in this wine. If asparagus means unripe or overripe, bitter asparagus then I could agree with that description to some extent. I don't know the flavour of green figs but I don't see ripe figs in this wine at all. Overall, this could be a descent wine for someone else, just not me.
While I appreciate a good white wine less focused on fruits, this came with a bitter bite and an after taste of dried fruits and vegetables that I could not get use to. Other reviewers have described this wine as tasting like asparagus and green figs, holding off-dry lemony flavours and balance. I'm not certain if balance works, as there is this prominent bitterness to the wine that I can't help but over-focus on. I agree with lemony but not so much the off-dry. Off-dry signifies sweetness in there and I do not come across any sweetness in this wine. If asparagus means unripe or overripe, bitter asparagus then I could agree with that description to some extent. I don't know the flavour of green figs but I don't see ripe figs in this wine at all. Overall, this could be a descent wine for someone else, just not me.
Background:
I was perusing the aisles of the local BCL, looking for something different, when I saw this bottle. It was short and stout, and the labelling quaintly inviting. It listed nothing about the character of the wine, with exception of one word, "fresh," but I was sold simply because I was feeling quaintly up for different today.
I had seen this bottle in the past and worried about its quality due to its rather cheap price. When looking into it, I was happily surprised to see higher rating and good remarks and so felt confident in making this my purchase.
Basics:
This White wine is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Sémillon (20%), and Cape Riesling (20%) grapes. It hails from West Cape, South Africa, out of Stellenbosch appellation, from Blouberg winery. For its total 750mL and 11.5% alcohol by volume you need only spend 8.99$...or 7.99$ on sale like I did.
Reviewer's Rant:
From dreyfusashby.com "A brilliant green. Aromas of asparagus and green figs. Off-dry lemony flavours with a crisp and fresh finish follow through on the palate."
DishevelledChic.com says: "This is the first white blend that I’v ever had and it was really good. This Blouberg was well-balanced with a crisp citrus flavour and really complimented our dinner. This wine reminds me of Spring and Summer. I served it with baked trout, sweet potatoes and asparagus."Rating: I rated this wine 3.5 out of 5.
Amateur's Take:
Appearance:
The colour of this one takes a bright, off-clear yellowish green. When swished, the legs are quick to return to the body of the wine making this look like a lighter bodied wine
Nose:
The nose is quite subdued, giving off what seems to be lemon peels with something else, something...green. By green, I mean that it sparks thoughts of unripe grapes, still tartly acidic and It reminds me more of grassy or green vegetal product than of fruits. Breathing in deep enough, on the end of the inhale there is something that reminds me of dried apricots.
Palate:
The taste strays from the fruity where I get at best a tart unripe taste that is slightly zesty but hard to pin a flavour to. Unripe citrus, like lemons or limes, I guess. There is something vegetal or grassy that overtakes the palate though. Its harsh and snappy with crispness but after a few gulps its harshness loses its edge. Then there is a mineral and floral aspect that lingers for a moment in the after-taste, most noticeable when taking a deep breath in through the mouth right after swallowing. I could get use to the strange taste of this wine but for the bitter bite to it and the lingering funky finish I seem to get. Its a long after-taste which is a muddle of dried fruits and vegetables, like having eaten fruit leather and vegetable leather together and having the flavour still lingering on the palate.
Wine-Food Pairing:
I had this wine with a pesto pasta. This blend is mostly Sauvignon Blanc which has good acidity and goes well with herb based cuisine so I thought I might put it to the test. It's greener nature probably did pair better than a fruitier white wine would have. Though It did go alright, its bitter tartness was a bit intense for the lighter pesto flavour.
This would be a good wine for any salad based meals that focus on bitter leafy ingredients or more bitter vegetables. This might also be a great wine for some fish, nothing too light or too strong but right there in the middle. Cream based sauces with herbs or stronger oil and citrus sauces might pair up nice next to this wine.
Bottom of the Bottle:
While I appreciate a good white wine less focused on fruits, this came with a tart and bitter bite and an after taste of dried fruits and vegetables that I could not get use to. Other reviewers have described this wine as tasting like asparagus and green figs, holding off-dry lemony flavours and balance. I'm not certain if balance works, as there is this prominent bitterness to the wine that I can't help but over-focus on. I agree with lemony but not so much the off-dry. Off-dry signifies sweetness in there and I do not come across any sweetness in this wine. If asparagus means unripe or overripe, bitter asparagus then I could agree with that description to some extent. I don't know the flavour of green figs but I don't see ripe figs in this wine at all. Overall, this could be a descent wine for someone else, just not me.
I was perusing the aisles of the local BCL, looking for something different, when I saw this bottle. It was short and stout, and the labelling quaintly inviting. It listed nothing about the character of the wine, with exception of one word, "fresh," but I was sold simply because I was feeling quaintly up for different today.
I had seen this bottle in the past and worried about its quality due to its rather cheap price. When looking into it, I was happily surprised to see higher rating and good remarks and so felt confident in making this my purchase.
Basics:
This White wine is made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%), Sémillon (20%), and Cape Riesling (20%) grapes. It hails from West Cape, South Africa, out of Stellenbosch appellation, from Blouberg winery. For its total 750mL and 11.5% alcohol by volume you need only spend 8.99$...or 7.99$ on sale like I did.
Reviewer's Rant:
From dreyfusashby.com "A brilliant green. Aromas of asparagus and green figs. Off-dry lemony flavours with a crisp and fresh finish follow through on the palate."
DishevelledChic.com says: "This is the first white blend that I’v ever had and it was really good. This Blouberg was well-balanced with a crisp citrus flavour and really complimented our dinner. This wine reminds me of Spring and Summer. I served it with baked trout, sweet potatoes and asparagus."Rating: I rated this wine 3.5 out of 5.
Amateur's Take:
Appearance:
The colour of this one takes a bright, off-clear yellowish green. When swished, the legs are quick to return to the body of the wine making this look like a lighter bodied wine
Nose:
The nose is quite subdued, giving off what seems to be lemon peels with something else, something...green. By green, I mean that it sparks thoughts of unripe grapes, still tartly acidic and It reminds me more of grassy or green vegetal product than of fruits. Breathing in deep enough, on the end of the inhale there is something that reminds me of dried apricots.
Palate:
The taste strays from the fruity where I get at best a tart unripe taste that is slightly zesty but hard to pin a flavour to. Unripe citrus, like lemons or limes, I guess. There is something vegetal or grassy that overtakes the palate though. Its harsh and snappy with crispness but after a few gulps its harshness loses its edge. Then there is a mineral and floral aspect that lingers for a moment in the after-taste, most noticeable when taking a deep breath in through the mouth right after swallowing. I could get use to the strange taste of this wine but for the bitter bite to it and the lingering funky finish I seem to get. Its a long after-taste which is a muddle of dried fruits and vegetables, like having eaten fruit leather and vegetable leather together and having the flavour still lingering on the palate.
Wine-Food Pairing:
I had this wine with a pesto pasta. This blend is mostly Sauvignon Blanc which has good acidity and goes well with herb based cuisine so I thought I might put it to the test. It's greener nature probably did pair better than a fruitier white wine would have. Though It did go alright, its bitter tartness was a bit intense for the lighter pesto flavour.
This would be a good wine for any salad based meals that focus on bitter leafy ingredients or more bitter vegetables. This might also be a great wine for some fish, nothing too light or too strong but right there in the middle. Cream based sauces with herbs or stronger oil and citrus sauces might pair up nice next to this wine.
Bottom of the Bottle:
While I appreciate a good white wine less focused on fruits, this came with a tart and bitter bite and an after taste of dried fruits and vegetables that I could not get use to. Other reviewers have described this wine as tasting like asparagus and green figs, holding off-dry lemony flavours and balance. I'm not certain if balance works, as there is this prominent bitterness to the wine that I can't help but over-focus on. I agree with lemony but not so much the off-dry. Off-dry signifies sweetness in there and I do not come across any sweetness in this wine. If asparagus means unripe or overripe, bitter asparagus then I could agree with that description to some extent. I don't know the flavour of green figs but I don't see ripe figs in this wine at all. Overall, this could be a descent wine for someone else, just not me.
RSS Feed